Announcing Our Rug Tip-Shearing Service

Announcing Our Rug Tip-Shearing Service

January 15, 2019

Posted by D. A. Burns

D. A. Burns offers a rug tip-shearing service that will restore the brilliance to your rug when its appearance has been diminished due to exposure to light and wear. Tip shearing can also remove face yarn damage to rugs that have been subjected to harsh chemicals during manufacture or have loose tufts “sprouting” from the carpet pile.

Rug Conditions That Can Be Corrected By Tip-Shearing

Sprouts and Pulls. All rugs are sheared when they’re woven to provide an even pile, but longer yarns can work up from between other yarns and stick up higher than the rest of the pile.

Light Fading. UV light, even if not direct sunlight, will bleach the tips of the rug pile over time. Removing the smallest portion (tips) of faded yarn can restore the color to the rug’s original vibrancy.

Chemical Fading. Often called Luster Washing, Antique Washing or Chemical Washing, this is a once popular, chlorine bleaching process meant to give a new rug the faded look of an old rug. Chlorine can damage the tip of the yarn and reduce the stain resistance of the wool. Trimming (shearing) the damaged surface away not only restores lost color, it can also remove stains that have not penetrated deeper into the pile of the rug.

Wear. Foot traffic will change the original “flat top” of a carpet yarn into a stretched out chisel point, which can then tangle with surrounding fibers and give the carpet a matted look. Removing damaged fiber brings back the rug’s original, high-definition pattern and feel.

Shaggy Look. Some rugs were made with a high pile and low weight construction, which over time will result in rug that looks scruffy. Taking the nap lower can make the rug look sharp again.

Dingy Look. Soils and stains that have worked into the damaged tip of a carpet yarn often cannot be removed by cleaning. Removing the damaged yarn tip can make the colors bright again.

These conditions usually require removal of only a tiny fraction of the end of the carpet yarn. It is possible to remove more pile height if a change in appearance is desired. A heavy pile rug that is no longer in style can be reduced in thickness or pile height. With our shearing process, rugs that have little value due to heavy or uneven wear can take on the look of the “exposed backing” rugs that have gained current popularity.

NOTE: The rug must be cleaned prior to tip-shearing. Dirt and grit will damage the shearing equipment.

Some Photo Examples of Rug Tip-Shearing

Example of rug yarn tip-fading - Notice that the deeper color shown on the back of the rug is still present in the lower part of the nap.

Before tip-shearing - A custom hand-knotted rug. The yarn tips are faded, and the rug has taken on a hint of gray discoloration.

After tip-shearing - The faded, discolored yarn tips have been removed, restoring the original look and vivid colors of the rug.

Before tip-shearing - Close up of distorted nap – 30 year old hand-knotted Persian rug.

After tip-shearing - The rug tip-shearing has removed high, sprouting fibers and worn yarn tips for a restored, cleaner appearance.